Explosive connector detonator

ABSTRACT

An electric explosive connector detonator for electrically detonated electrical connectors having a head matable with an ordinary flashlight body, or similar case for enclosing a pair of batteries. Said head comprises a male subconnector (particularly adapted to mate with the female subconnector of the explosive connector) constructed to mount in said case. The male subconnector has an electrically conductive tubular outer electrode member joined to one side of the detonating circuit and an electrically conductive inner electrode member, mounted concentrically therewith, joined to the other side of said circuit. The outer electrode member and the inner electrode member being insulated one from the other and preferably being biased and relatively movable.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Carl Raymond Hedberg Harrisburg, Pa.

[54] EXPLOSIVE CONNECTOR DETONATOR 10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

2,926,566 3/1960 Atkins et al 89/28 3,125,661 3/1964 Alvarez et al. 219/268 X 3,449,637 6/1969 Suzuki 317/81 3,305,668 2/1967 Smith 219/528 FOREIGN PATENTS 715,697 8/1965 Canada 317/96 Primary Examiner-Volodymyr Y. Mayewsky Attorneys-Curtis, Morris and Safford, Marshall M.

l'lolcombe, William Hintze, William J. Keating, Frederick W. Raring, John R. Hopkins, Adrian .1. La Rue and Jay L. Seitchik ABSTRACT: An electric explosive connector detonator for electrically detonated electrical connectors having a head matable with an ordinary flashlight body, or similar case for enclosing a pair of batteries. Said head comprises a male subconnector (particularly adapted to mate with the female subconnector of the explosive connector) constructed to mount in said case. The male subconnector has an electrically conductive tubular outer electrode member joined to one side of the detonating circuit and an electrically conductive inner electrode member, mounted concentrically therewith, joined to the other side of said circuit. The outer electrode member and the inner electrode member being insulated one from the other and preferably being biased and relatively movable.

EXPLOSIVE CONNECTOR DETONATOR This invention relates to explosive detonators, and, more particularly, to electric explosive detonators for electrically detonated electrical connectors.

Explosive connectors of the type to which this invention relates are shown in copending US. Pat. application entitled Electrical Connector," Ser. No. 18,152 filed Mar. 10, 1970. In connectors of this type, an explosive charge is disposed near a heater wire. The heater wire is electrically connected to a female subconnector. In order to detonate such an explosive connector, it is necessary to apply a source of electricity to the female subconnector, so that the heater wire will heat, causing the explosive charge to explode.

Since such explosive connectors are typically employed to connect utility power cables, it is often necessary to detonate the connector under inconvenient and perilous conditions, such as, at the top of a utility tower. A disadvantage of the prior art, such as hydraulic utility splice applicators, and even our coworkers earlier explosive percussion detonated connectors (see US. Pat. No 3,345 ,454), was the need to swing a tool to accomplish the application under conditions where balance is extremely important.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for detonating explosive connectors which is compact, rugged, and easy to operate.

An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a device for detonating explosive connectors which includes an indicator, operative to indicate that the appropriate electrical connection between the explosive connector detonator and the explosive connector has been made.

According to the present invention, as shown in the preferred illustrated embodiment, there is provided an explosive connector detonator head matable with an ordinary flashlight body, or similar case for enclosing a pair of batteries. Said detonator head comprises a male subconnector (particularly adapted to mate with the female subconnector of the explosive connector) constructed to mount in said case. The male subconnector has an electrically conductive tubular outer electrode member joined to one side of the detonating circuit and an electrically conductive inner electrode member, mounted concentrically therewith, joined to the other side of said circuit. The outer electrode member and the inner elec' trode member being insulated one from the other and preferably being biased and relatively movable. A light is also advantageously mounted in said case and is suitably interconnected with the batteries and the male subconnector, so that it will illuminate when a circuit is completed, usually indicating that the male subconnector is properly inserted in the female subconnector of the explosive connector.

In this specification and the accompanying drawings we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of our invention and have suggested various alternatives and modifications thereof; but it is to be understood that these are not intended to be exhaustive and that many other changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. These suggestions herein are selected and included for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art will more fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and will thus be enabled to modify it and embody it in a variety of forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an explosive connector detonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the device of FIG. 1, shown inserted into the female subconnector portion of an explosive connector.

Referring to the drawings, where like or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference number, there is shown an explosive connector detonator head, shown generally at 14, attached to a housing or case 12. Head 14 comprises an electrically conductive outer electrode member 16 and an electrically conductive inner electrode member 18, disposed within outer electrode member 16. Inner electrode 18 extends a distance beyond the end of outer electrode 16, and is insulated therefrom by a tubular insulator 20.

Tubular insulator 20 extends a distance beyond the end of outer electrode member 16, so that the portion of inner electrode member 18 which extends beyond the end of outer electrode member 16 is substantially surrounded by said tubular insulator 20. This prevents the inner electrode member 18 from being accidentally shorted to outer electrode member 16, when the explosive connector detonator is not in use, by accidental contact with a conductive surface. Tubular insulator 20 is resiliently mounted, in a manner to be described hereinafter, so that it will retract during operation, permitting inner electrode member 18 and outer electrode member 16 to make appropriate electrical contact with the female subconnector 56 of the explosive connector.

Referring to FIG. 2, an insulator member 22 is threadably engaged with the inner end of outer electrode member 16. A conductive rear member 24 is threadably engaged with the end of insulator member 22. Insulator member 22 and conductive rear member 24 cooperate to form the rear wall of head 14.

The rear portion of inner electrode member 18 extends within insulator member 22, which serves to insulate the rear portion of inner electrode member 18 from outer electrode member 16. A conductive spring 26 is disposed within insulator member 22, with one end against conductive rear member 24, and the other end against a shoulder 28 on inner electrode member 18. Spring 26 bears on conductive rear member 24, and the other end against a shoulder 28 on inner electrode member 18. Spring 26 bears on conductive rear member 24 to extend said inner electrode member 18 into operative position. Inner electrode member 18 is thereby resiliently mounted so as to permit detonation of explosive connectors having small variations in the depth of the female subconnector thereof, as will be described more fully below.

Tubular insulator 20 has a shoulder 30 which limits the distance that tubular insulator 20 may protrude beyond the end of outer electrode member 16. A spring 32 is disposed within outer electrode member 16, with its ends respectively bearing against shoulders 28 and 30. Spring 32 urges tubular insulator 20 away from shoulders 28, and thus urges tubular insulator 30 toward the end of outer electrode member 16. Tubular insulator 20 is thereby resiliently mounted so as to permit retraction thereof upon insertion of head 14 into the female subconnector of the explosive connector.

A pair of batteries 34 and 36, such as alkaline D cells, are disposed within housing 12. Battery retainer clips 38 and 42 and spring 40 serve to secure batteries 34 and 36 within housing 12. in addition, spring 40 serves to connect batteries 34 and 36 in series, and battery retainer clips 38 and 42 serve as terminals for the series combination of batteries 34 and 36.

A lamp 44 is mounted in case 12. Outer electrode member 16 is electrically connected to one terminal of lamp 44 through a screw 46 and a wire 48. The other terminal of lamp 44 is connected to battery retainer clip 42 through wire 50.

Battery retainer clip 38 is electrically connected to conductive rear member 24 through a screw 52 and a wire 54. Inner electrode member 18 is thereby electrically connected to terminal 38 through spring 26 and rear conductive member 24. Thus one polarity of electrical voltage is applied to inner electrode member 18 while the opposite polarity of electrical voltage is applied to outer electrode member 16.

Referring to FIG. 3, the operation of the present invention will now be explained. Head 14 is inserted into the female subconnector portion of the explosive connector, shown generally at 56. Female subconnector 56 comprises an outer contact 58 and an inner contact 60. An insulating cup 62 serves to insulate inner contact 60 from outer contact 58, and to prevent inner electrode member 18 from contacting the inside wall of contact 58 during insertion. Inner contacts 60 is electrically connected to inner conductor 64 of the female subconnector 56. Outer contact 58 serves as the outer conductor of female subconnector 56.

in operation, the tip of inner electrode member 18 is inserted into insulating cup 62. As the inner electrode member 18 enters the insulating cup 62, the tubular insulator contacts the surface of contact 58 and the edge of insulating cup 62. As insertion continues the tubular insulator 20, held back by contact 58 and cup 62, retracts against the pressure of spring 32.

Inner electrode member 18 will bottom against contact 60. Spring 26 permits relative movement between inner electrode member 18 and outer electrode member 16 thereby assuring contact between the latter and contact 58. Thus, spring 26 by resiliently mounting inner electrode member 18 allows for variation in the depth between contacts 58 and 60.

With outer electrode member 16 contacting contact 53 the head 14 will be positioned as shown in FIG. 3. This will complete the detonating circuit causing lamp 4 3 to illuminate and the explosive connector to detonate.

The illumination of lamp 44 indicates that a complete electrical circuit has been made, presumably from outer electrode member 16 to inner electrode member 18 and demonstrating proper insertion into the female subconnector 56. Should the explosive connector fail to detonate with the lamp 44 illuminated, it would indicate to the operator that the defect was in the explosive connector and not in the explosive connector detonator (or possibly the batteries are too weak). Lamp 44 may be used to check the condition of batteries 34 and 36. lfa wire, or other suitable conductor, is used to connect outer electrode member 16 and inner electrode member 18, lamp 44 should light to full brilliance. If lamp 44 does not do so, it would indicate to the operator that batteries 34 and 36 are weak or inoperative. Further, lamp 44 serves to prolong the life of batteries 34 and 36 by preventing batteries 34 and 36 from being shorted, should outer electrode member 16 be accidentally shorted to inner electrode member 18 in any manner. it has been found that a detonator constructed according to the present invention may be expected to give over 1,500 successful detonations of explosive connectors when a pair of alkaline D cells 34 and 36 are employed.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, head 14 may be mated with the body of a standard flashlight, to form an explosive connector detonator. Head 14 may be attached to the flashlight body in place of the lamp and reflector assembly of the flashlight, with rear conductive member 24 contacting the battery terminal which normally is in contact with the base of the flashlight lamp. Similarly, the typical conductive strip terminal of the standard flashlight would contact the inner end ofthe outer electrode member 16. Alternatively, other suitable means may be provided to electrically connect outer electrode member 16 and inner electrode member 118 with the batteries of the standard flashlight.

It is within the scope of the broader aspects of the present invention to have a reversal of parts, such as with the inner electrode 18 being a female contact matable with a male contact 60, and with similar modifications to the others parts. Also, insulator 20 in the illustrated embodiment may extend beyond the tip of inner electrode 18.

What is claimed is:

1. A detonator apparatus comprising, a housing, a first electrode mounted on said housing, a second electrode mounted on said housing, insulation means separating said first and said second electrodes, said electrodes forming portions of an electrical circuit including an electrical source provided in said housing, and said insulation means initially in a first position providing interruption of said electrical circuit and being movable independently of either of said electrodes to a second position allowing completion of said electrical circuit between said first and said second electrodes.

2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said insulation means is retractable from a protruding position with respect to said first electrode to a nonprotruding position with respect to said first electrode.

3. The structure as recited in claim 2 and further including:

resilient action biasing means engaging said second electrode and said insulation means, said insulation means being movable to said second position against the resilient action of said biasing means.

4. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein, said first electrode is generally tubular, said second electrode is mounted within said first electrode, and said insulation means encircles said second electrode and is movably mounted with respect to said first electrode.

5. The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein, said second electrode is resiliently mounted with respect to said housing and also with respect to said first electrode.

6. Detonator apparatus comprising: a housing, a first electrode mounted on said housing, insulation means separating said first and said second electrodes, said electrodes forming portions of an electrical circuit including an electrical source provided in said housing, said insulation means initially in a first position providing a relatively long circuit interruption path separating said electrodes, and said insulation means being movable independently of either of said electrodes to a second position and providing a relatively shorter circuit interruption path separating said electrodes, allowing completion of the electrical circuit across said shorter circuit interruption path.

7. The structure as recited in claim 6, wherein, said second electrode is resiliently mounted with respect to said housing and also with respect to said first electrode.

8. The structure as recited in claim 7, and further including: resilient action biasing means engaging said second electrode and said insulation means, said insulation means being movable to said second position against the resilient action of said biasing means.

9. The structure as recited in claim 6, wherein said insulation means is retractable from a protruding position with respect to said first electrode to a nonprotruding position with respect to said first electrode.

10. An explosive connector detonator head mountable on a standard flashlight body comprising an outer electrode member mounted on said head, an inner electrode member disposed within said outer electrode member, said inner electrode member extending beyond one end of said outer electrode member, means for resiliently mounting said inner electrode member, a tubular insulator disposed between said outer electrode member and said inner electrode member, said tubular insulator extending beyond said one end of said outer electrode member, means for movably mounting said tubular insulator independently of said electrode members to allow completion of the electrical circuit between said electrode members, means for mounting said head on said flashlight body in lieu of the usual flashlight reflector and lamp assembly and means for independently electrically connecting said electrode members to the battery terminals of said flashlight body.

' g g g UNITED STATES PATENT @FFHCE CERTHKCATE QT CGRREWWN Petent No. I 3 ,63l,532 Dated 12/28/71 inventofls) Carl Raymond Hedberg, Walter Myers Werner It is certified that error appears in the above-iflentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r- "Claim 6, column L line 25, after "housing,

insert a second electrode mounted on said housing,

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of May 1972.

(SEAL) Atteet:

EDWARD M OFLETGHER, JR. 7 ROBERT GOTTSGHALK A'tteeting Officer Commissioner of Patents AMP 2884 

1. A detonator apparatus comprising, a housing, a first electrode mounted on said housing, a second electrode mounted on said housing, insulation means separating said first and said second electrodes, said electrodes forming portions of an electrical circuit including an electrical source provided in said housing, and said insulation means initially in a first position providing interruption of said electrical circuit and being movable independently of either of said electrodes to a second position allowing completion of said electrical circuit between said first and said second electrodes.
 2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said insulation means is retractable from a protruding position with respect to said first electrode to a nonprotruding position with respect to said first electrode.
 3. The structure as recited in claim 2, and further including: resilient action biasing means engaging said second electrode and said insulation means, said insulation means being movable to said second position against the resilient action of said biasing means.
 4. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein, said first electrode is generally tubular, said second electrode is mounted within said first electrode, and said insulation means encircles said second electrode and is movably mounted with respect to said first electrode.
 5. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said second electrode is resiliently mounted with respect to said housing and also with respect to said first electrode.
 6. Detonator apparatus, comprising: a housing, a first electrode mounted on said housing, a second electrode mounted on said housing, insulation means separating said first and said second electrodes, said electrodes forming portions of an electrical circuit including an electrical source provided in said housing, said insulation means initially in a first position providing a relatively long circuit interruption path separating said electrodes, and said insulation means being movable independently of either of said electrodes to a second position and providing a relatively shorter circuit interruption path separating said electrodes, allowing completion of the electrical circuit across said shorter circuit interruption path.
 7. The structure as recited in claim 6, wherein, said second electrode is resiliently mounted with respect to said houSing and also with respect to said first electrode.
 8. The structure as recited in claim 7, and further including: resilient action biasing means engaging said second electrode and said insulation means, said insulation means being movable to said second position against the resilient action of said biasing means.
 9. The structure as recited in claim 6, wherein, said insulation means is retractable from a protruding position with respect to said first electrode to a nonprotruding position with respect to said first electrode.
 10. An explosive connector detonator head mountable on a standard flashlight body comprising an outer electrode member mounted on said head, an inner electrode member disposed within said outer electrode member, said inner electrode member extending beyond one end of said outer electrode member, means for resiliently mounting said inner electrode member, a tubular insulator disposed between said outer electrode member and said inner electrode member, said tubular insulator extending beyond said one end of said outer electrode member, means for movably mounting said tubular insulator independently of said electrode members to allow completion of the electrical circuit between said electrode members, means for mounting said head on said flashlight body in lieu of the usual flashlight reflector and lamp assembly, and means for independently electrically connecting said electrode members to the battery terminals of said flashlight body. 